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Open Ocean Particle Flux Variability From Surface to Seafloor
Author(s) -
Cael B. B.,
Bisson Kelsey,
Conte Maureen,
Duret Ma T.,
Follett Christopher L.,
Henson Stephanie A.,
Honda Makio C.,
Iversen Morten H.,
Karl David M.,
Lampitt Richard S.,
Mouw Colleen B.,
MullerKarger Frank,
Pebody Corinne A.,
Smith Kenneth L.,
Talmy David
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2021gl092895
Subject(s) - seafloor spreading , flux (metallurgy) , biogeochemical cycle , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , deep sea , carbon cycle , geology , oceanography , ecosystem , chemistry , ecology , organic chemistry , environmental chemistry , biology
The sinking of carbon fixed via net primary production (NPP) into the ocean interior is an important part of marine biogeochemical cycles. NPP measurements follow a log‐normal probability distribution, meaning NPP variations can be simply described by two parameters despite NPP's complexity. By analyzing a global database of open ocean particle fluxes, we show that this log‐normal probability distribution propagates into the variations of near‐seafloor fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC), calcium carbonate, and opal. Deep‐sea particle fluxes at subtropical and temperate time‐series sites follow the same log‐normal probability distribution, strongly suggesting the log‐normal description is robust and applies on multiple scales. This log‐normality implies that 29% of the highest measurements are responsible for 71% of the total near‐seafloor POC flux. We discuss possible causes for the dampening of variability from NPP to deep‐sea POC flux, and present an updated relationship predicting POC flux from mineral flux and depth.